Evidence

Using Evidence to Understand the Past

 * How do we know about the past?
 * How do we decide what to believe about the past?
 * Good questions are needed to turn a source into evidence.

Information becomes evidence when:
Students are asked to offer reasoned arguments, reach conclusions or construct plausible accounts.


 * Evidence is derived from primary and secondary sources.
 * Primary sources are the raw materials upon which historical connections are based.
 * Secondary sources are constructed from other sources.

accounts - describe, explain or account for traces - are remnants of the past.
 * Information can come from "traces" or "accounts".

**Aspects of Evidence**

 * Position of the author(s)
 * Purposes of the author(s)
 * Values and world view of the author(s)
 * Historical background and setting
 * Note: Author could also be artist, photographer, potter etc.


 * Agenda for May 5**